You might think that driving is a daily chore that causes stress and anxiety, but that’s not the case with some automakers.
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute are studying driver emotions to discover what makes a driving experience either enjoyable or frustrating. The institute teamed with other organizations, including Mercedes Customer Research and the Munich Technical University, to conduct a number of tests. The study involved different methods for measuring a driver’s emotions in various situations behind the wheel.
The participants drove two Mercedes-Benz vehicles for the test: its new C-Class model and a 190 E model from 1983. Eight drivers between the ages of 33 and 53 drove the vehicles at a testing site and conducted several negotiating tactics typically used during a normal day of driving. The study involved different types of terrain to simulate a complete driving experience.
During the driving tests, a recorder logged the details of each individual, including speed, acceleration and positioning.
The researchers applied American psychologist Paul Elkman’s theory that facial expressions are ideal indications of a person’s emotions. They installed cameras in the vehicles to receive a constant feed of each driver’s facial expression. The cameras collected some 60,000 individual images from each driver. Researchers then entered this data into a computer for analysis. They also asked participants a series of questions before and after the test to get an indication of what drivers feel contributes to a pleasurable driving experience.
The main goal of the study was to match drivers’ facial expressions with their emotions. Because the researchers found a strong correlation between facial expressions and feelings, this interrelationship became a new criterion for testing driver satisfaction before a new model hits the market.
Mercedes-Benz plans to continue the research. In time, driver satisfaction will be just as important as safety and comfort. It’s just another way that Mercedes strives to please its customers in every way possible.
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